ABOUT DARY DUNHAM
C. Dary Dunham began his duties as interim head of school on July 9, 2007. He retired a year ago from Indian Mountain School – a Pre K–9 school in Lakeville, Connecticut where he had been headmaster since 1992 – and has remained actively involved in education issues. A self-described “schools guy,” Dary has taught, coached and served as an administrator at schools since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in the early 1960s. He met former Foote headmaster Frank Perrine in his very first position at The Harvey School in Katonah, New York. He went on to spend 15 years at Fessenden School in West Newton, Massachusetts, the last three as assistant headmaster.
For five years prior to taking charge at Indian Mountain, Dary was headmaster of St. Michael’s Country Day School in Newport, Rhode Island. Dary graduated from Deerfield Academy and the University of Pennsylvania and has a master’s degree in education from Boston University.
Indian Mountain School experienced considerable growth and prosperity during Dary’s tenure. Under his leadership enrollment grew steadily to over 250, the budget was balanced, a merger with The Town Hill School (grades Pre K through 4) was completed, and the physical plant was greatly enhanced with the construction of new facilities and renovation of existing spaces.
“Foote School and its faculty have a great reputation among educators and I was excited when I got the call to talk with the Board,” he says. He adds that it is clear that “the faculty is the engine that runs the school. They are the most important element in a school’s success.” He sees his job as the “care and feeding of faculty so that they can focus on their excellent work with the students.”
Dary combines strong administrative experience in schools similar to Foote with the perspective of a true classroom teacher. That, combined with Dary’s strong educational philosophy, convinced the Board that he is the right fit for Foote. According to Board President Libby Peard, “Dary is skilled at working with all constituencies. He understands what makes Foote School special and will take well examined and measured steps in moving the school forward. We are excited to have Dary as our interim head.”